Kalasuri Dr. Jayasiri Semage:

Creative dots, lines and shapes

'Kalasuri' Jayasiri Semage's latest art exhibition will be held at Semage's Art Gallery No. 3 Liliyan Avenue, Mt. Lavinia, from today (4th) to 11th September.

Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage is an artist who needs no factitious introduction. For the few decades past, his paintings ranging from postcards to gigantic creations of over 40 feet in length adorning the entrances to extensive exhibition parks etc, in various parts of our island have been highly acclaimed. Three of his works in oil 300x260cm in dimension, depicting the Esala Pageant (perahera) at Kandy and Sri Lanka rural scenes are on permanent display in the large 'Cinnamou' Hall in Melbourne, Australia. Sri Lankans there were thus provided with a delightful opportunity of experiencing art of their beloved homeland, reminiscent of the soft shades and rhythmic curves of the Sigiriya paintings.

Semage has made people in many countries delighted with his creations. One-man exhibitions of Semage were held in several countries. The main hall of the UN Centre in Geneva (Switzerland) has his painting 'Hands that protect the motherland,' on permanent display. At the Sri Lanka Embassies in Stockholm (Sweden) Manila (Philippines Island) and the Headquarters of the People's Bank in Colombo too his creations are displayed.

Scenes

Semage has executed extensive mural paintings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha at two outstanding overseas Buddhist temples - one the Sri Lanka Vihara at Lumbini, Nepal (the site of the Buddha's birth) and Mangala Vihara, Singapore. At home in Sri Lanka he has painted the walls of Sri Piyarathnaramaya with similar paintings. Presently he is busy with painting the shrine room of Sri Maha Bodhraja Purana Viharaya, Divulpitiya, Boralasgamuwa.

Young Sri Lankan artists are given tremendous inspiration by Semage with new directions of improvising traditional art both in form and spirit. According to Semage's philosophy, being loyal to tradition should not mean refusal to innovate. Tradition should guide our expression with forms, motifs and aesthetics. Yet, we may bring in inspiration from experimental and revolutionary techniques and styles from contemporary schools and artists. Every year, therefore, Semage presents new expressions in unique forms, yet faithfully retaining his Sri Lankan identity.

This exhibition is a miscellany of his delightfully progressive expedition of creative dots, lines and shapes. His girls are angelic, animals lovable and trees breathing; Rhythmic curves are poetic and the composition balanced. It is a beautiful world with no sorrow. Ugly is not in his dictionary. Why should it be in the enjoyable world of art?

- Prof. Chandima Wijebandara